Cloud solutions for organizations

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the disclosure relate to generation of cloud solutions tailored to an organization or an environment thereof. In one aspect, the cloud solution bundles a group of cloud services that can include software applications, professional services, managed network services, and/or infrastructure services. The cloud services that can form a cloud solution can be selected in response to a query associated with an organization or an environment thereof.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is related to and claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/722,647, filed on Nov. 5, 2012, theentirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

SUMMARY

This summary presents a simplified, rather than extensive, overview ofthe disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspectsthereof. In addition, this summary is not intended to identify key orcritical elements of the disclosure or delineate any scope thereof.Instead, this summary presents certain principles of the disclosure in asimplified form as a prelude to the more extensive detailed descriptionthat is included in the present specification.

The disclosure generally relates, in certain aspects, to generation of asuite of solutions deployed (e.g., installed, tested, and/or accepted)in a cloud configuration and customized for an organization in aspecific industry vertical. Such a configuration can include a group offunctional elements distributed in a network, such as a wide areanetwork. Each of the solutions in such a suite may be referred to as acloud solution and can comprise, for example, one or more ofinfrastructure, software application(s), firmware application(s), aservice, or a combination thereof. A cloud solution can be customized toa specific performance of the organization, where the performance cancomprise organizational needs and/or organizational performance targets,such as customer retention, product market penetration, revenue goal, acombination thereof, or the like. Provided an organization and/or anenvironment of the organization, cloud solutions customized to theorganization and/or the environment thereof can be composed to havedifferent tiers of complexity and associated functionality. As utilizedherein, an “operational environment” (or, more simply, an “environment”)of the organization may refer to a feature of the organization (e.g.,organization type, organization size, a combination thereof or the like)and/or a condition in which the organization operates (e.g.,availability a cloud solution, market, location, target audience, timeof year, a combination thereof, or the like).

In one aspect, a suite of cloud solutions can be customized to aspecific organizational performance indicator, such as organizationalneeds or organizational performance targets (e.g., customer retention,product market penetration, churn mitigation, combination thereof, andthe like). In another aspect, the suite of solutions (e.g., technologyand/or business functions) can be provided as a bundle that may beaccessed via a single end-user interface. Such a bundle can be readilyaccessed and operated and can be specifically composed (e.g., packaged)for an industry vertical.

In other aspects, the disclosure provides a solution engine for curationof cloud services and/or solutions for an organization. In the presentdisclosure, such services may be referred to as assets. In certainimplementations, such a solution engine can identify or target a cloudsolution (e.g., a software application, a business service, or aninfrastructure service) to fit a specific performance of theorganization. Performance of the organization may be conveyed orotherwise represented by a specific performance indicator (e.g.,revenue, customer churn, etc.). As an example, the solution engine canidentify a cloud solution that fits the performance indicator (e.g., arevenue goal) by translating or otherwise mapping the performanceindicator into a set of one or more solutions that support or otherwisepromote the organization's performance indicator to a satisfactorydegree (e.g., best fit, second best fit, etc.). A degree of support, orfitness, of a specific performance can be represented by one or moremetrics indicative or otherwise representative of performance changesassociated with a performance indicator. In one aspect, based on apredetermined performance indicator, historical information associatedwith performance of industry-equivalent organizations can be utilized toidentify a suitable cloud solution.

In certain solution identification scenarios, the disclosure canleverage or rely at least in part on information (e.g., data, metadata,and/or signaling) from industry-equivalent or industry-similarorganizations in order to recommend desirable solution(s) for anorganization. In one example implementation, a recommendation technique(e.g., a system, a process, a procedure, an algorithm, a combinationthereof, or the like) can translate usage information (e.g., data,metadata, and/or signaling) into one or more recommendations onsuggested solutions for organizations based on similar industries, sizeof business, business problems solved, a combination thereof, or thelike. Fitness of one or more cloud services can be assessed or otherwiseevaluated based at least in part on specific features of anorganization's performance indicator. As an illustration, in an examplescenario in which the organization's performance indicator comprises arevenue goal, the fitness of a cloud service for such an indicator canbe represented by a metric indicative of achievement of the revenuegoal. Such a metric, which can represent or otherwise indicate fitness,can be evaluated based at least on historical data for organizationssimilar to the organization that acquires a cloud solution comprisingthe measured cloud service. As another illustration, in an examplescenario in which the organization's performance metric comprisesmitigation of churn, the fitness of a cloud service can be representedby a metric indicative of churn reduction in similar organizations. Itshould be appreciated that, in one aspect, the fitness of a cloudsolution (e.g., a cloud service) or a collection of cloud solutions(e.g., cloud services) can be represented by a metric indicative ofperformance changes associated with a performance indicator for anorganization and derived from utilization of the cloud solution or thecollection of cloud solutions.

The disclosure can permit, among other aspects, searching for orotherwise identifying specific cloud solutions (e.g., cloud services)that can form a bundle of cloud solutions. In addition or in thealternative, the disclosure can permit accessing one or more bundles ofsolutions via, for example, a cloud solutions portal or interface.

While various aspects of the disclosure are illustrated in connectionwith small business entities, it should be appreciated that thedisclosure is not so restricted and such aspects can be applied to mostany organization having a workforce (e.g., business management andemployees) and that provides a service and/or a product.

Various embodiments of the disclosure can provide several advantagesover conventional technologies for bundling of commercial services. Oneexample advantage is that organizational performance indicators can betranslated into a set of one or more technological solutions. Anotherexample advantage is that that the disclosed cloud solutions, such asapplications, services, infrastructures, combination thereof or thelike, can be categorized as to their pertinence (e.g., applicabilityand/or relevance) to an organizational performance indicator, such as abusiness need or a business objective. Yet another example advantage isthat the disclosed curation techniques (e.g., system(s), process(es),procedure(s), combination thereof, and the like) can provide a list ofpertinent solutions (e.g., most pertinent solution(s), second mostpertinent solution(s), and the like) to fit a specific organizationalperformance indicator (e.g., a business need, a business objective, aninformation technology (IT) need, a combination thereof, or the like).Still another example advantage is information (e.g., data, metadata,and/or signaling) indicative of cloud solution usage can be accessed(e.g., collected) and/or utilized to develop business intelligence onwhat solutions are being utilized and how often they are utilized by anorganization (e.g., a small business entity). A further exampleadvantage is that access can be provided to specific cloud solutionswithout an organization or organization officer having an understandingof the technological nature or peculiarities of a specific cloudsolution, thus making curation of a cloud solution relevant to theorganization or the organization officer regardless of the technologicalexpertise thereof.

Other features and/or advantages of the disclosure will be set forth inpart in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent fromthe description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosure.Certain features and/or advantages of the disclosure may be realized andattained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointedout in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both theforegoing general description and the following detailed description areexemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the presentdisclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are an integral part of the disclosure and areincorporated into the subject specification, and illustrate exampleembodiments of the disclosure. The drawings in conjunction with thesummary, description, and claims serve to explain various principles,features, or aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 1A illustrates an example operational environment for assetcuration and/or generation of a cloud solution in accordance with one ormore aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 1B illustrates an example of a solution stack for a cloud solutionin accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 1C illustrates another example operational environment for assetcuration and/or generation of a cloud solution in accordance with one ormore aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an example operational flow of acloud solution in accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example landing webpage in accordance with one ormore aspects of the disclosure.

FIGS. 4-6 illustrate an example GUI in accordance with one or moreaspects of the disclosure.

FIGS. 7-9 illustrate example operational environments in accordance withone or more aspects of the disclosure. The example operationalenvironments in FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate example infrastructure services(e.g., infrastructure and associated services) of disparate complexity,the infrastructure services can be provided in conjunction with othertypes of cloud services.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example computing environment that can implementfunctionality in accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosure.

FIGS. 10-11 illustrate example methods in accordance with one or moreaspects of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As utilized in the present disclosure, the term “solution” refers to agroup of one or more of an infrastructure functional element (e.g., arouter, a hardware server, a computing device, a reference link, or thelike), a software application, a firmware application, or a service(such as a business service or an infrastructure service). The terms“cloud solution” refer to a solution that is deployed in the cloud or awide area network (e.g., a backbone network, a regional network, etc.).The cloud or the wide area network can comprise wireline functionalelements and/or wireless functional elements (such as functionalelements contained in a terrestrial wireless network or asatellite-based wireless network).

As employed in this specification, annexed drawings, and/or claims theterms “unit,” “component,” “system,” “platform,” “environment,”“interface,” “repository,” “portal,” and the like are intended toinclude a computer-related entity or an entity related to an operationalapparatus with one or more functionalities afforded by one or morecomputational resources, such as processor(s), one or more memories,network connector(s), combination thereof, and the like. Thecomputer-related entity or the entity related to the operationalapparatus can be either hardware, a combination of hardware andsoftware, software, or software in execution. One or more of suchentities also may be referred to as “functional elements.” As anexample, a unit may be, but is not limited to being, a process runningon a processor, a processor, an object, an executable computer program,a thread of execution, a program, a memory (e.g., a hard disc drive),and/or a computer. As another example, a unit can be an apparatus withspecific functionality provided by mechanical parts operated by electricor electronic circuitry which is operated by a software or a firmwareapplication executed by a processor, wherein the processor can beinternal or external to the apparatus and executes at least a part ofthe software or firmware application. As yet another example, a unit canbe an apparatus that provides specific functionality through electronicfunctional elements without mechanical parts, the electronic functionalelements can include a processor therein to execute software or firmwarethat provides at least in part the functionality of the electronicfunctional elements. An illustration of such apparatus can be controlcircuitry, such as a programmable logic controller. The foregoingexamples and related illustrations are but a few examples and are notintended to limiting or otherwise restrictive. Moreover, while suchillustrations are presented for a unit, the foregoing examples alsoapply to a component, a system, a platform, an interface and the like.It is noted that in certain embodiments, or in connection with certainaspects or features thereof, the terms “unit,” “component,” “system,”“platform,” “environment,” “interface,” “repository,” and “portal” canbe utilized interchangeably.

Throughout the present specification and drawings of the disclosure, thewords “comprise,” “include,” and “have” and variations of such words,such as “comprising” and “comprises,” “including” and “includes,”“having” and “has,” mean “including but not limited to,” and are notintended to exclude, for example, other systems, subsystems, components,action, steps, or the like. When utilized, the term “exemplary” refersto “an example of” and is not intended to convey an indication of apreferred or ideal embodiment, entity, feature, or the like. “Such as”is not utilized in the present disclosure in a restrictive sense, butrather it is put forward for explanatory purposes.

Disclosed are functional elements, such as components, units, platforms,repositories, etc., that can be utilized to perform the disclosedmethods and systems. These and other functional elements are disclosedherein, and it is understood that when combinations, subsets,interactions, groups, etc. of these components are disclosed that whilespecific reference of each various individual and collectivecombinations and permutation of these may not be explicitly disclosed,each is specifically contemplated and described herein, for all methodsand systems. This applies to all aspects of this application including,but not limited to, steps in disclosed methods. Thus, if there are avariety of additional steps that can be performed it is understood thateach of these additional steps can be performed with any specificembodiment or combination of embodiments of the disclosed methods.

The methods, systems, solutions, and the like, of the disclosure maytake the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely softwareembodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects.Furthermore, the methods and systems may take the form of a computerprogram product on a computer-readable storage medium havingcomputer-readable program instructions (e.g., computer software)embodied in the storage medium. More particularly, the present methodsand systems may take the form of web-implemented computer software. Anysuitable computer-readable storage medium may be utilized including harddisks, CD-ROMs, optical storage devices, or magnetic storage devices.

Functionality of the embodiments of is described herein with referenceto block diagrams and flowchart illustrations of methods, systems,apparatuses and computer program products. It will be understood thateach block of the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations, andcombinations of blocks in the block diagrams and flowchartillustrations, respectively, can be implemented by computer programinstructions. These computer program instructions may be loaded onto ageneral purpose computer, special purpose computer, or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such thatthe instructions which execute on the computer or other programmabledata processing apparatus create a means for implementing the functionsspecified in the flowchart block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in acomputer-readable memory that can direct a computer or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readablememory produce an article of manufacture including computer-readableinstructions for implementing the function specified in the flowchartblock or blocks. The computer program instructions may also be loadedonto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to causea series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or otherprogrammable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process suchthat the instructions that execute on the computer or other programmableapparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in theflowchart block or blocks.

Accordingly, blocks of the block diagrams and flowchart illustrationssupport combinations of means for performing the specified functions,combinations of steps for performing the specified functions and programinstruction means for performing the specified functions. It will alsobe understood that each block of the block diagrams and flowchartillustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams andflowchart illustrations, can be implemented by special purposehardware-based computer systems that perform the specified functions orsteps, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computerinstructions.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example operational environment 100 forcomposition of cloud solutions in accordance with one or more aspects ofthe disclosure. The example operational environment 100 includes asolution component domain 110 having one or more cloud services that canbe utilized to compose a specific cloud solution for an organization.The solution component domain 110 can be localized (e.g., deployed in alocal area network (LAN)) or distributed over a network (e.g., a widearea network (WAN), such as the Internet). The organization can pertainto an industry vertical that can be embodied in or can comprise (i)agriculture; (ii) education and childcare; (iii) insurance services;(iv) Internet and online market; (v) not-for-profit; (vi) retail andconsumer services; (vii) utilities; (viii) banking and financialservices; (ix) hospitality and travel services; (x) legal services; (xi)law enforcement; (xii) media and entertainment; (xiii) real estate andproperty; (xiv) transportation and logistics; (xv) construction; (xvi)energy and environment; (xvii) healthcare and pharmaceuticals; (xviii)manufacturing and engineering; (xix) public sector; (xx) gastronomyservices; (xxi) small businesses; or the like. In addition, smallbusinesses or medium businesses also can be organized in businessverticals or segments, such as auto dealer; auto repair or workshop;general contractor; landscaping and land management; customer loyalty;consumer goods distribution; good distribution; franchise management;funeral industry; jewelry store management; pharmacy; photographicstudios; salons; service dispatch; restaurants; personal services;office services; small office; home office; and the like.

A cloud service in the solution component domain 110 can be developed bya service provider (e.g., a multiple operating services (MOS) provider)that administers at least a portion of the functionality of the presentdisclosure, or by an entity (e.g., a vendor) that is external to orotherwise independent from the service provider. In one aspect, theservice provider or the entity can access information from an industryvertical specialist (which also may be referred to, more informally, as“industry guru”) or a platform associated therewith in order to developa cloud service. For instance, in a scenario in which the industryvertical is embodied in or comprises gastronomy services (e.g.,restaurants or catering), the industry guru can provide at least aportion of the information. Such information may be referred to asservice development information and, in one aspect, can permit orotherwise facilitate development of the cloud service. In anotheraspect, at least a portion of the service development information canpermit or otherwise facilitate acquisition (e.g., selection, purchase,licensing, a combination thereof, or the like) of a cloud service. Asillustrated, in one aspect, such cloud services can comprise one or moresoftware applications 112, one or more professional services 114 (e.g.,business services; managed service(s), such as network managedservice(s); a combination thereof, or the like), and one or moreinfrastructure services 116. A professional service of the professionalservice(s) 114 can include services that permit customization and/orconfiguration of cloud service to an organization. In addition or in thealternative, can generate and/or distribute knowledge or intelligenceassociated with or otherwise related to the organization or anoperational condition thereof, or another organization that is similarto the organization. A cloud service can be represented in as a “servicestack,” which is illustrated in FIG. 1B. A service stack 180 cancomprise a first layer 182 that can comprise one or more softwareapplications, a second layer 184 that can comprise cloud informationstorage (which also may be referred herein to as “networked storage”),and a third layer that can comprise one or more managed network services186. It should be appreciated that the layer 186 can include at leastone of the professional service(s) 114 and/or at least one of theinfrastructure service(s) 116.

The solution component domain 110 can be accessed by a selection andcategorization component 120 that can categorize a cloud service in suchdomain based at least in part on a fitness metric indicative orotherwise representative of industry alignment of the cloud service withan organization. In addition or in the alternative, the fitness metriccan be indicative of an organization's predetermined activity (e.g., abusiness activity, such as payroll) that the cloud service can address(e.g., solve, monitor, audit, a combination thereof or the like).Categorization of one or more cloud services can include generation ofinformation indicative or otherwise representative of effectiveness of acloud service to address a specific organizational performanceindicator, such as an organizational need. In addition or in thealternative, categorization of one or more cloud services can includegeneration of a classification of the one or more cloud services basedat least in part on an environment of the organization. To at least suchan end, in one aspect, the selection and categorization component 120can determine the alignment of a cloud service of the one or more cloudservices to the environment of the organization. As described herein, an“operational environment” of the organization may refer to a feature ofthe organization and/or a condition in which the organization operates(e.g., availability a cloud solution, market, location, target audience,time of year, a combination thereof, or the like). In certain scenarios,an organizational need can be embodied in or can comprise, for example,a business need, an information technology (IT) need, a combinationthereof, or the like. The business need can range, for example, fromrevenue generation to cost savings functions, and can include businessintelligence and analytics; finance and accounting; integratedsolutions; operations management; collaboration; governance, risk,compliance; IT and communications; sales; customer management; humanresources (HR) and employee management; marketing; project managementand planning; or the like. The IT need can include cloud computing;middleware; security and compliance; virtualization; consultingservices; development tools; service providers; system administrators;data management; hardware; mashups and application programminginterfaces (APIs); or the like.

In one aspect of categorization of cloud services, the selection andcategorization component 120 can generate an index of cloud services. Inanother aspect, the selection and categorization component 120 canretain the index of cloud services in a category information (info.)storage 130. Such an index can be retained in various memory elements,such as a register, a memory page, a file, a database, a combinationthereof, or the like, in a manner that can permit determination ofalignment of the cloud service to a business industry and/or a specificorganizational need (e.g., business need or technological need) or otherorganizational performance indicator. In certain implementations, theindex of cloud services can be ranked according to respective fitnessmetrics—e.g., a cloud service having a higher fitness metric has higherrelevancy than another cloud service having a lower fitness metric.

As illustrated, the example environment 100 can include a solutionsearch component 140 that can identify or otherwise select one or morecloud services for an organization (e.g., a business entity). In certainimplementations, the solution search component 140 can identify orotherwise select the one or more cloud services based at least in parton an index of cloud services, where such an index is generated asdescribed herein. In addition or in the alternative, the solution searchcomponent 140 can identify or otherwise select a cloud service based atleast in part on an industry vertical and/or feedback information (e.g.,utilization metrics, such as popularity) associated with the cloudservice as measured or reported by similar organizations (e.g., smallbusiness, such as a restaurant). Similarity between organizations can bedetermined (e.g., quantified or otherwise assessed) based at least onone or more of geographical overlap (e.g., two organizations are locatedin the same region, such as a city or neighborhood); industry verticalor segment; size of organization (e.g., small business, medium business,or the like); type of organization (e.g., not-for-profit entity orfor-profit entity), combinations thereof; or the like.

In one aspect, the selection and categorization component 120 canidentify or otherwise select a cloud service based at least in part on acapability matrix that, in one implementation, can identify aprofessional service in its ability to provide a satisfactoryperformance (e.g., optimal performance, nearly optimal performance, orthe like) with respect to one or more organizational criteria (e.g.,business criteria) for an organization, such as small business. Asdescribed herein, the professional service can be embodied in or cancomprise a business service, a technology service, a channel service, avertical service, a combination thereof, or the like. In oneimplementation, for a small business, five business criteria can beconfigured: (a) attract more customers; (b) improve customer experience;(c) retain customers (or “mitigate customer churn”); and (d) improveoperational efficiency. Each of such business criteria can comprisemultiple components or metrics, wherein at least one (e.g., one, two,more than two, each, etc.) of the multiple components can permitmeasuring or otherwise evaluating effectiveness of a cloud solution(e.g., a cloud service) against a predetermined criterion. As anillustration, the “improve efficiency” criterion can include one or moreof the following metrics: ability to lower need for business owner timein performing a function, ability to save employees time in performingservices, ability to improve convenience and thus make a task easier;automation of tasks; delivery of business insights; and the like, asexamples.

The component(s) or metric(s) within an organizational criterion can begrouped into the type of business to which such components may apply.Types of business can comprise substantially any industry vertical inwhich the business criteria can be defined. For example, in ahospitality vertical, the “improve customer experience” criterion caninclude restaurant specific components or metrics, such as shorten foodordering wait times; improve methods of bill payment; shorten time toseat, etc. In one aspect, the capability matrix can be configurableand/or extensible. Configurability and/or extensibility can permit tosearch for cloud services available over the Internet in accordance withaspects of the present disclosure.

In certain implementations, alignment of a cloud solution, or a cloudservice thereof, to an organization performance indicator (e.g., abusiness need) can be determined based at least on feedback informationreceived from an end-user of such a solution or service and/or by athird-party (e.g., a blogger or a reviewer of IT products) associatedwith the cloud solution, or the cloud service thereof. The feedbackinformation can comprise information indicative of adequacy of the cloudsolution, or the cloud service thereof, to a specific organization. Inone aspect, such an alignment can be measured by evaluating utilizationof the cloud solution, or the cloud service thereof. Utilization can beevaluated via the feedback evaluation component 170. In another aspect,such an alignment can be measured by surveying electronically thedocumented features of the cloud solution, or the cloud service thereof,and determining responsiveness to (e.g., level of adoption of) such asolution or service in order to categorize or to refine a categorizationof the cloud service associated with the cloud solution. For example,the surveying can include surveying blogs written about the cloudservice. In other implementations, such measurements can be conducted bypolling social media sources or outlets (such as Facebook, Twitter,LinkedIn, web-based usage boards, or the like) and collecting, inresponse, information indicative of feedback from end-users of the cloudsolution or the cloud service thereof. In one aspect, leveraging (e.g.,polling or otherwise monitoring) social outlets to measure suchalignment can permit correlating feedback (e.g., usage information)across various customers of the service provider that provides the cloudsolution. Quality assurance (QA) and analysis of the magnitude of theservice capability/score can be performed via comparative assessment andanalysis of number of users (either inside or outside of the serviceprovider solution, for example) according to the industry vertical forwhich the cloud service has been configured as an available element of aprospective cloud solution.

In certain scenarios, the selection and categorization component 120 canimplement (e.g., execute) or otherwise leverage an organization-solutionsearch process and, in response, can provide (e.g., identify, organize,identify and organize, or the like) a set of one or more cloud services(e.g., software applications, business services, infrastructureservices, and the like). In one aspect, the set of one or more cloudservices can be ordered or otherwise organized based at least onapplicability to an end-user (e.g., business owner, organizationofficer, etc.), business type or organization type, time of year, and/ora specific industry event. As described herein, such an ordering can beretained in a memory element within the category information (info,)storage 130. For example, a cloud service can be identified in responseto a query, such as “What services can help me attract more customersduring restaurant week.” It should be appreciated that, in one aspect,other queries can be formulated in order for the selection andcategorization component 120 to identify or otherwise select a cloudservice from the solution component domain 110. In one aspect, theselection and categorization component 120 can translate a service queryinto a set of one or more cloud services (e.g., software applications)suitable for a business entity or organization. As described herein, atleast to identify or otherwise select cloud services, the selection andcategorization component 120 can incorporate information indicative ofone or more of type of industry associated with a device that originatesa query, an initial categorization, or one or more of feedback metrics(e.g., utilization metrics) associated with a cloud service.

The solution search component 140 can generate a bundle of cloudservices comprising one or more cloud services that are identified orotherwise selected for an organization, such as a business entity. Sucha bundle represents a cloud solution for the organization. In certainimplementations, software components or firmware components in a cloudservice that is contained in the cloud solution can be pre-compiled fordirect (or “turnkey”) utilization by end-user of the organization.

The solution search component 140 can serve as a core gateway to gettingservices onto and categorized on a cloud solutions platform 150. A cloudsolution identified by the solution search component 140 can be suppliedto the cloud solutions platform 150, which can retain (e.g., install;configure; persist; install and configure; install and persist;configure and persist; or install, configure, and persist) the cloudsolution in one or more functional elements referred to as cloudsolution(s) 154.

The cloud solutions platform 150 also can expose, or provide access to,a cloud solution for utilization or consumption. To at least such end,in certain implementations, the cloud solution platform 150 can includea solution engine 156 and at least one interface of one or moreinterface(s) 152. In one aspect, the solution engine 154 can permitaccess to a cloud service of a cloud solution in response to receiving arequest for a cloud solution from the at least one interface. In anotheraspect, the solution engine 156 can leverage the solution searchcomponent 140 to identify or otherwise select a specific cloud serviceor cloud solution, as described herein, in response to informationindicative of an organizational performance indicator received from anorganization (e.g., received from an organization device). As anillustration, for a business entity, the solution engine 154 cantransmit an instruction to the solution search component 140 to identifya specific cloud service. The instruction can include a query havinginformation indicative of a business requirement of the business entity.As another illustration, in certain embodiments, the solution engine 156can execute the solution search component 140 in order to identify orotherwise select one or more cloud services to compose a cloud solutionin accordance with one or more aspects described herein. In suchembodiments, the solution search component 140 can be embodied in a setof one or more computer-accessible instructions (e.g.,computer-executable instructions, computer-readable instructions,combination thereof, or the like) that is retained in one or more memorydevices (which also may be referred to as “memory;” not depicted in FIG.1A) that can be integrated into the solution engine 156 or functionallycoupled thereto.

At least one interface of the one or more interfaces 152 can be embodiedin or can comprise a user interface (UI) that can present one or moreservices contained in a cloud solution to an end-user (e.g. a businesscustomer or organization officer) in a manner that permitsstraightforward identification and adoption of the cloud solution andrelated cloud services.

As a cloud solution or a cloud service thereof is utilized, usageinformation can be accessed (e.g., collected or received) and/orretained in a feedback information storage 160. The feedback informationcan be retained in unstructured format in one or more memory elements ofthe feedback information storage 160. In one aspect, the feedbackinformation can comprise usage information that can be indicative offrequency of utilization of the cloud service (e.g., a softwareapplication, a professional service, a combination thereof, or thelike). In another aspect, the feedback information can comprise usageinformation indicative of utilization of one or more functional featuresof an infrastructure element (e.g., a router, a switch, a gateway, orthe like) that can be included in the cloud solution.

A feedback evaluation component 170 can analyze the feedback information(e.g., usage information) retained in the feedback information storage160 and can provide insights into the popularity and/or effectiveness ofa cloud solution. As part of the analysis of such feedback information,the feedback evaluation component 170 can aggregate at least a portionof the feedback information, can identify temporal patterns in suchinformation, can identify frequency patterns in such information, and/orcan extract specific features present in at least a portion of thefeedback information, or the like. In certain implementations,information generated from the analysis of the feedback information(e.g., usage information) can be retained in the category informationstorage 130 and can be utilized to determine suitability of a cloudservice for a specific cloud solution. In one aspect, the feedbackevaluation component 170 can analyze past and current organizationactivity (e.g., business activity) associated with a cloud solution or acloud service thereof.

In one aspect, the feedback evaluation component 170 can implement autilization process that can collect information from at least threecore usage sources, and can analyze at least a portion of suchinformation to generate a usage score for a cloud solution or a specificcloud service thereof. The score can be associated with the specificcloud service (e.g., a software application, a business service, aninfrastructure service, or the like) in a categorization databaseretained in the category information storage 130, and can be utilized bythe solution search component 140. Example core usage sources cancomprise at least the following. (1) Events and/or number of times andduration of use of a cloud service (e.g., a software application or aprofessional service) is used by a consumer. Usage can be assessed inaccordance with (a) cloud service launch events by the consumer. (b)Duration of cloud service (e.g., software application, business service,and/or infrastructure service) usage. For example, such duration can beassessed as the time elapsed between log in and log out. (c) Type of logout (e.g., normal, time out, system error, etc.). (d) Use segmented byuser role (e.g., admin, user, manager, etc.). (e) Time of day and/orday-part of usage (e.g., early morning, afternoon, evening, weekend).(f) Types of events performed by the service (e.g., number of IPsecurity attacks stopped by managed routers, etc.). (2) External factorsrelating to the industry. (a) Industry specific calendars (e.g.,restaurant week, public holiday, etc.). (3) Purchase cost and/or revenueassociated with a cloud service (e.g., software application, businessservice, and/or infrastructure service). (a) Money spent with the cloudservice over time. (b) Price per end-user device. (c) End-users (e.g.,customers of a customer that acquires a cloud solution from a serviceprovider) utilization of the cloud service. As described herein, suchrich utilization information can be leveraged (e.g., analyzed,aggregated, etc.) in scenarios in which a suitable information (e.g.,data, metadata, and/or signaling) exist. In certain scenarios, suchusage data can be extracted for several cloud services.

Information obtained from the core usage sources can be utilized todetermine (e.g., configure, define, compute, combinations thereof, orthe like) one or more utilization metrics. The utilization metrics thatcan be analyzed and associated with a cloud service (e.g., softwareapplication, business service, or the like) can include variousindicators, such as value for money, popularity; adoptability, and soon. For example, number or degree of cloud service utilization (seeexample core usage source (1)(a)) can be analyzed with respect to moniesspent with the cloud service (see example core usage source (3)(a)) inorder to calculate a metric and then assign a score to the cloudservice.

In addition or in the alternative, the feedback evaluation component 170can incorporate feedback information accessed from an end-user (e.g., abusiness owner) into the information sets (e.g., data sets and/ormetadata sets) utilized to perform the usage analysis described herein.Such feedback can include, for example, one or more of responses tointerviews, surveys, or free form input text boxes. Indirect feedbackalso can be incorporated into the analysis. For instance, indirectfeedback can include information comprising one or more of number ofincident tickets raised by business owner, and the status of suchtickets (e.g., fixed within SLA terms, outstanding, major tickets open,combination thereof, and the like).

In certain scenarios, a utilization metric can be learned based at leaston historical data indicative of past utilization success and/orfailure. In one aspect, machine learning process(es) that can permitlearning a new utilization metric can access (e.g., collect or receive)utilization information and scoring of a cloud service at certaindiscrete intervals (e.g., daily, weekly, monthly, etc.) or on anearly-continuous basis, such information can be compared with one ormore feedback feeds in order to generate a utilization metricautonomously in order to increase fidelity of the scoring of a specificcloud service.

In one aspect, a service provider that administers the operatingenvironment 100 and provides cloud solutions in accordance with one ormore aspects of the disclosure can employ utilization metrics and/orutilization data associated with one or more cloud services to developand/or implement business strategies associated with a cloud service.For example, based on utilization metrics and utilization data, aservice provider can establish a distributor agreement with a developerof a cloud service (e.g., a software application) and can collect a flatfee from the developer in order to index or categorize the cloud serviceand incorporate the cloud service into a cloud solution. For anotherexample, for a cloud service with high utilization metrics (e.g., ahighly adopted cloud service), the service provider can demand increasedexclusivity for distribution of the cloud service in exchange of ahigher agreement fee. For yet another example, the service provider canpurchase the developer organization and can keep the business model ofsuch organization and assist with further development in order tomaintain a large segment of customers that utilize such cloud service.

While not illustrated, in certain embodiments, the example environment100 can comprise a billing component that can bill an organization(e.g., a business entity) for a cloud solution based at least in part onutilization of at least one of one or more cloud services that can beincluded in the cloud solution. In one aspect, the business entity canbe billed a fixed fee for the cloud solution. In another aspect, thebusiness entity can be billed based at least on the organization'srevenue or profit generated by the cloud solution with respect torevenue or profit of the business entity during periods in which thecloud solution is not utilized. In yet another aspect, the organizationcan be billed at a discounted rate or promotional rate for cloudsolutions that include cloud service with low popularity or that areprovided on an experimental basis. For instance, a cloud solution havinga cloud service (e.g., a software application or a business service)that is on beta-testing may be billed at a discounted rate in order toentice a business owner of the business entity to test such cloudservice.

It should be appreciated that, in one aspect, the cloud solutionplatform 150, and related one or more interfaces 152 (which may bereferred to as interface(s) 152) and associated interface aspects canguide or otherwise assist a business owner or an organization officer infinding technical solutions rather than assuming the business owner ororganization officer has adequate technical knowledge of eachorganizational function and/or technology in order to evaluate solutionoptions and make an adequate choice unguided.

FIG. 1C illustrates another example of an operational environment 190for asset curation for cloud solutions and/or for composition of cloudsolutions in accordance with one or more aspects of the presentdisclosure. As illustrated, the operational environment 190 includes thecloud solution platform 150, which can be embodied in or can compriseone or more servers 194 (referred to as “server(s) 194”) and one or moregateways 195 (referred to as “gateway(s) 195). At least one server ofthe server(s) 194 can provide at least a portion of the functionality ofthe cloud solutions platform 150 described herein. In certainimplementations, the at least one server can execute computer-accessibleinstructions (e.g., computer-readable instructions and/orcomputer-executable instructions) in order to implement a cloud solutionof the cloud solution(s) 154. In addition, at least one of the gatewayof the gateway(s) 195 can permit exchange (e.g., transmission and/orreception) of information with one or more functional elements in theoperational environment 150 or functionally coupled thereto. In oneaspect, at least a portion of the information that can be exchanged cancomprise information associated with a cloud solution or utilization(which also may be referred to herein as “consumption”) thereof, and/orfeedback information related to an organization or an operationalcondition thereof. Information that is received at the cloud solutionsplatform 150 can be retained in the networked repository 196. The atleast one gateway can permit exchange of information (or communicationof information) between a server of server(s) 194 and at least oneserver external to the cloud solutions platform 150. Similarly, the atleast one gateway can permit exchange of information with a networkedrepository 196 that can include one or more storage platform(s) 198comprising one or more storage devices and management component(s)(e.g., server(s)) that permit access to information retained within theone or more storage devices. One or more of the storage platform(s) 198can embody or can comprise at least one of the category info. Storage130 or the feedback info. storage 160 in accordance with aspectsdescribed herein.

In certain embodiments, combination of a server of the server(s) 194 anda gateway of the gateway(s) 195 can embody an interface of theinterface(s) 152. In other embodiments, which may be referred to asdistributed embodiments, a combination of a server of the server(s) 194,a gateway of the gateway(s) 195, and a server of the server(s) 192 canembody or can comprise an interface of the interface(s) 152. In oneaspect, the server of the server(s) 192 can operate as a client of theserver of the server(s) 194, where the server that operates as a clientcan receive information indicative of an interface (e.g., a userinterface) from the server of the server(s) 194 via the gateway of thegateway(s) 195. In one implementation, the server of the server(s) 192can render at least a portion of such information and can receive otherinformation indicative or otherwise representative of instructions thatpermit utilization or consumption of a cloud solution or a cloud servicethereof. At least one server of the server(s) 150 can provide such asolution or service.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an example operational flow 200 ofa cloud solution in accordance with one or more aspects of thedisclosure. The landing page 210 can permit interaction with a salesplatform. As illustrated, in one aspect, the landing page can permitestablishing a chat with a sales representative. In addition, thelanding page 210 can permit access to a platform to purchase a cloudsolution. The landing page 210 also can permit to log in to a solutionportal 220. As an illustration, a representation of an example landingwebpage 300 is presented in FIG. 3. As illustrated, the landing webpage300 can include branding indicia 310 associated with a business entitythat utilizes a cloud solution in accordance with one or more aspectsdescribed herein. The landing webpage also can include interfaceelements 320 (also referred to, in certain scenarios, as indicia 320)that can permit input and delivery of credentials (e.g., username andpassword) that permit accessing a cloud solution. For example, suchcredentials can permit logging in to a service provider platform thatcan provide the cloud service. In addition, the landing webpage 300 caninclude indicia 330 that can convey information associated with one ormore features of cloud solutions. Interface elements that can permittransactions with a service provider also can be included in the landingwebpage 300. For example, interface elements 340 can permit, in responseto actuation, communication with a representative of the serviceprovider—such a representative may be referred to as “concierge”). Foranother example, indicia 350 can permit, in response to actuation,purchase of a specific cloud solution.

The solution portal 220 can permit access to various functionalities. Incertain implementations, the solution portal 220 can comprise one ormore consumption webpages. As an illustration, FIG. 4 is arepresentation of an example consumption webpage 400 in accordance withone or more aspects of the disclosure. The consumption webpage caninclude navigation indicia 410 that can permit access to variousfunctionality and content associated with a cloud solution having abundle of cloud services. As illustrated, the navigation indicia 410 cancomprise navigation indicia 412 that, in response to actuation, forexample, can permit access to content indicative of a group of cloudservices 420 (e.g., software applications) that are available within thebundle of cloud services. Similar to branding of the example landingwebpage 300, the consumption webpage 400 also may be personalized to aspecific end-user that can access (e.g., can log in) into the cloudsolution platform 150. The end-user can be represented with indicia 422.Such access or log in can be performed via single sign-on (SSO) the canpermit access to other services provided by a service provider thatadministers or provide the cloud solution associated with theconsumption webpage 400. As another illustration, FIG. 5 presentsanother example consumption webpage 500 that can be accessed viaactuation of navigation indicia 414. The consumption webpage 500 canrender the navigation block 410 and a group of access indicia 510-580that can permit access to various solutions suitable to address specificorganizational performance indicators (e.g., business needs). As yetanother illustration, FIG. 6 presents yet another example consumptionwebpage that embodies a user interface to cloud services (e.g., softwareapplication(s)) in the food service industry. The user interfaceincludes indicia (represented as “app store”) that, in response toactuation or selection, permits access to a cloud solutions platform(e.g., platform 150) and a cloud solution therein. The user interfacealso includes indicia (represented as “dashboard”) that, in response toactuation or selection, permit access to an interface that providesaccess to cloud services (e.g., software applications) available to anend-user or consumer associated with the interface. In addition, theuser interface also includes indicia that, in response to actuation orselection, can permit management of an account associated with aconsumer of a cloud solution associated with the interface. The userinterface also presents software applications available to the anend-user, and include indicia that when actuated or otherwise selectedcan permit the end-user to browse various categories of cloud services(e.g., software solutions) and/or receive recommendation for cloudservices in one or more of such categories.

In one aspect, the solution portal 220 can link to a managementinterface (e.g., a webpage) provided by the service provider, whereinsuch interface can provide various account management functionalities.In another aspect, the solution portal 220 can permit a link to aspecific cloud service, such as a software application. As an example,the solution portal 220 can link to a cloud storage application 230,represented as consumer shared space 230. In yet another aspect, thesolution portal 220 can link to a service provider customized solutioninterface (e.g., a webpage). In particular, yet not exclusively, thesolution portal 220 can permit access to the solution engine 154, whichcan provide access to a group of cloud solutions that can addressspecific organizational needs. As described herein, the group ofsolutions can be identified through the solution search component 140.In the example operational flow 200, in one embodiment, the solutionsearch component 140 can comprise several components that can search forspecific cloud solution(s) according various performance drivers (e.g.,organizational needs) of a business entity, such as a small business ormedium business.

In one aspect, the solution search component 140 can include acomponent, referred to as an “Attract More Customers” component, thatcan provide search results containing one or more cloud services, suchas software applications, which can be categorized as “Type 01”service(s), for example. In another aspect, the solution searchcomponent 140 can include a second component, referred to as an “ImproveCustomer Experience” component, that can provide search resultscontaining one or more cloud services, such as software applications,which can be categorized as “Type 02” service(s), for example. Inanother aspect, the solution search component 140 can include a thirdcomponent, referred to as a “Retain More Customers” component, that canprovide search results containing one or more cloud services, such assoftware applications, which can be categorized as Type 03” service(s),for example. In addition or in the alternative, such informative searchcomponents can include a component, referred to as an “AdditionalNetwork Services” component, that can provide discrete network servicevalue added “services.”

In another aspect, the solution search component 140 can include one ormore informative components that can provide information associated withavailable cloud solutions or one or more components thereof. Suchinformative components can include a component, referred to as a “ViewAdditional Application Bundles” component, that can provide informationindicative of custom-named bundle categories (see, e.g., App List). Incertain embodiments, such information can be provided as a listing thatcan be rendered in a web-based interface, such as a dedicated webpage.In addition or in the alternative, the one or more informativecomponents can include a component, referred to as a “Learn About MyBusiness” component, that can provide information indicative of a listof free reports and/or value added reports. Moreover or as anotheralternative, the one or more informative components can include acomponent, referred to as a “Present a Recommendation” component, whichcan provide a recommendation of one or more cloud services, such assoftware applications.

In still another aspect, the solution search component 140 can include acomponent, referred to as a “Browse All Solution Elements” component,that can provide a data structure or metadata structure, e.g., ahypermedia link, which can reference a logical address of a standardstorefront with cloud service(s) (e.g., one or more softwareapplications) that may not be yet purchased.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an example network environment 700 that canoperate in accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosure. Theoperational network environment 700 can permit consumption of one ormore cloud solutions in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. Thenetwork environment 700 can comprise one or more devices 710 (e.g.,end-user devices or other user equipment, customer premises equipment,enterprise devices (such as servers, printers, etc.)) that can befunctionally coupled to one or more network connectors 720 (e.g.,routers, switches, combinations thereof, or the like) and a repository730. It should be appreciated that while a single repository 730 isillustrated, additional or alternative embodiments contemplate presenceof two or more repositories in various configurations, such as storagefarms. In one embodiment, the one or more network connectors 720 cancomprise a router with a firewall and additional functionality (which incertain scenarios may be referred to as intelligence) that can providevarious infrastructure services—e.g., Internet browsing, email service,and the like.

As illustrated in the example network environment 700, at least one ofthe one or more network connector components 720 can be functionallycoupled to a service provider network architecture via link(s) 725,which can comprise an uplink (UL) and a downlink (DL) for exchange ofinformation (data, metadata, and/or signaling) between the networkconnector component(s) 720 and the cloud solutions platform 150. One ormore links 745, which can comprise an UL and a DL, can permitconnectivity between the service provider network architecture and/orother network elements of the network(s) 740, and the networkedrepository 196. The service provider network architecture can becontained within one or more networks 740. The service provider networkarchitecture can be referred to as “service provider cloud.” The link(s)725 can comprise wireless link(s), wireline link(s), or combinationsthereof. The network(s) 740, including the network provider cloud, canbe embodied in or can comprise a wide area network having wirelinefunctional elements (e.g., optic fibers, coaxial cables, routers,switches, gateways, combinations thereof, and the like) and/or wirelessfunctional elements (such as functional elements contained in aterrestrial wireless network or a satellite-based wireless network).

In certain embodiments, network environments that can operate inaccordance with one or more aspects of the disclosure can have increasedcomplexity. Such a complexity can be indicative or otherwiserepresentative of a tier of a cloud solution, e.g., a degree ofsophistication of the cloud solution or cloud service(s) associatedtherewith. FIG. 8 illustrates an example network environment 800 thatcan operate in accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosure,and can have increased complexity with respect to the example networkenvironment 700. As illustrated the example network environment 800 caninclude one or more servers 810, one or more devices 840, one or moreaccess points 850, and one or more network connector(s) 820. In oneaspect, the network connector(s) 820 can be embodied in or can include arouter that can be coupled to a wireless access point (AP) of the one ormore access point(s) 850. In one aspect, the wireless AP can providewireless service according to one or more radio technology protocols(e.g., WiFi, Third-Generation (3G) communications, Fourth-Generation(4G) communications, Long Term Evolution (LTE) communications,combinations thereof, or the like). In other embodiments, the router canbe functionally coupled to two or more wireless APs that can provide twotiers of wireless service: (1) wireless service for members of anorganization that utilizes a cloud solution of the disclosure, or (2)wireless service for visitors of an organization location.

In one embodiment, for example for a small restaurant, the businessowner can purchase, as part of a bundle of cloud services, aninfrastructure service. Such infrastructure service can comprise arouter that is part of the network connector component(s) 720 (whichalso may be referred to as network connector(s) 720). In one aspect, therouter can an integrated services router that can permit remoteconnectivity to the router via, for example, service provider networkarchitecture which can be included within the one or more networks 740.In addition or in the alternative, the router can collect informationindicative and/representative of a cloud service available in the bundleof cloud services. Such information can embody or can compriseutilization information (e.g., usage data) and can permit, in oneaspect, remote adjustment of configuration of the router. For instance,the adjustment can be directed to ensuring Wi-Fi service does notinterfere with payment service(s), for example.

In certain embodiments, a router that is contained in the networkconnector(s) 820 can include a virtual private network (VPN) server thatcan permit, in one aspect, connectivity between a device 860 (either amobile computing device or a non-mobile computing device) and therouter. In certain embodiments, the router can include variousfunctionality, such as anti-virus and/or anti-spam at the edge of thelocation of an organization (e.g., a business location). Thus, in oneaspect, the router can detect any computers that may be connecting tothe organization's LAN that may be infected with a virus or othermalware.

FIG. 9 is a high-level block diagram of an example operationalenvironment 900 in accordance with one or more aspects of thedisclosure. In one aspect, the functionality of the disclosure asprovided in accordance with the methods, systems, and/or environmentsdescribed herein can be implemented on a computing device 701 asdescribed below. The example operational environment 100 for generationof a cloud solution, illustrated in FIG. 1, can be implemented in one ormore computing devices embodied in or comprising the computing device901. Similarly, the methods and systems disclosed can utilize one ormore computers to perform one or more functions in one or more locationsof an organization that consumes (e.g., composes, purchases, and/orutilizes) a cloud solution in accordance with one or more aspects of thedisclosure. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplaryoperating environment for performing the disclosed methods. Thisexemplary operating environment is only an example of an operatingenvironment and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to thescope of use or functionality of operating environment architecture.Neither should the operating environment be interpreted as having anydependency or requirement relating to any one or combination ofcomponents illustrated in the exemplary operating environment.

The present methods and systems can be operational with numerous othergeneral purpose or special purpose computing system environments orconfigurations. Examples of well-known computing systems, environments,and/or configurations that can be suitable for use with the systems andmethods comprise, but are not limited to, personal computers, servercomputers, laptop devices, and multiprocessor systems. Additionalexamples comprise set top boxes, programmable consumer electronics,network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, distributed computingenvironments that comprise any of the above systems or devices, and thelike.

The processing of the disclosed methods and systems can be performed bysoftware components. The disclosed systems and methods can be describedin the general context of computer-executable instructions, such asprogram modules, being executed by one or more computers or otherdevices. Generally, program modules comprise computer code, routines,programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that performparticular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Thedisclosed methods can also be practiced in grid-based and distributedcomputing environments where tasks are performed by remote processingdevices that are linked through a communications network. In adistributed computing environment, program modules can be located inboth local and remote computer storage media including memory storagedevices.

Further, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the systems andmethods disclosed herein can be implemented via a general-purposecomputing device in the form of a computing device 901. The componentsof the computing device 901 can comprise, but are not limited to, one ormore processors or processing units 903, a system memory 912, and asystem bus 913 that couples various system components including theprocessor 903 to the system memory 912. In the case of multipleprocessing units 903, the system can utilize parallel computing.

The system bus 913 represents one or more of several possible types ofbus structures, including a memory bus or memory controller, aperipheral bus, an accelerated graphics port, and a processor or localbus using any of a variety of bus architectures. By way of example, sucharchitectures can comprise an Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus,a Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, an Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, aVideo Electronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, an AcceleratedGraphics Port (AGP) bus, and a Peripheral Component Interconnects (PCI),a PCI-Express bus, a Personal Computer Memory Card Industry Association(PCMCIA), Universal Serial Bus (USB) and the like. The bus 913, and allbuses specified in this description can also be implemented over a wiredor wireless network connection and each of the subsystems, including theprocessor 903, a mass storage device 904, an operating system 905, cloudsolution software 906, cloud solution information 907, a network adapter908, system memory 912, an Input/Output Interface 910, a display adapter909, and a human machine interface 902, can be contained within one ormore remote computing devices 914 a,b,c (e.g., devices 710) atphysically separate locations, connected through buses of this form, ineffect implementing a fully distributed system. In one aspect, the cloudsolution software 906 can comprise a set of one or morecomputer-accessible instructions (e.g., computer-executableinstructions, computer-readable instructions, combinations thereof, andthe like) that can embody the various components described herein and,in response to execution by one or more processors, can implement therespective functionality in accordance with one or more aspects of thedisclosure. In another aspect, the set of one or morecomputer-accessible instructions and/or at least a portion of the cloudsolution information can configure at least one processor to operate inaccordance with one or more aspects of the disclosure. In response toexecution, in one aspect, the set of one or more computer-accessibleinstructions can cause a processor to operate in accordance with one ormore aspects of the disclosure.

The computer 901 typically comprises a variety of computer readablemedia. Exemplary readable media can be any available media that isaccessible by the computer 901 and comprises, for example and not meantto be limiting, both volatile and non-volatile media, removable andnon-removable media. The system memory 912 comprises computer readablemedia in the form of volatile memory, such as random access memory(RAM), and/or non-volatile memory, such as read only memory (ROM). Thesystem memory 912 typically contains data such as cloud solutioninformation 907 and/or program modules such as operating system 905 andcloud solution software 906 that are immediately accessible to and/orare presently operated on by the processing unit 903. In another aspect,the computer 901 can also comprise other removable/non-removable,volatile/non-volatile computer storage media. By way of example, FIG. 9illustrates a mass storage device 904 which can provide non-volatilestorage of computer code, computer readable instructions, datastructures, program modules, and other data for the computer 901. Forexample and not meant to be limiting, a mass storage device 904 can be ahard disk, a removable magnetic disk, a removable optical disk, magneticcassettes or other magnetic storage devices, flash memory cards, CD-ROM,digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, random accessmemories (RAM), read only memories (ROM), electrically erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EEPROM), and the like.

Optionally, any number of program modules can be stored on the massstorage device 904, including by way of example, an operating system 905and cloud solution software 906. Each of the operating system 905 andcloud solution software 906 (or some combination thereof) can compriseelements of the programming and the cloud solution software 906. Cloudsolution information 907 can also be stored on the mass storage device904. Cloud solution information 907 can be stored in any of one or moredatabases known in the art. Examples of such databases comprise, DB2®,Microsoft® Access, Microsoft® SQL Server, Oracle®, mySQL, PostgreSQL,and the like. The databases can be centralized or distributed acrossmultiple systems.

In another aspect, commands and information can be entered into thecomputer 901 via an input device (not shown). Examples of such inputdevices comprise, but are not limited to, a keyboard, pointing device(e.g., a “mouse”), a microphone, a joystick, a scanner, tactile inputdevices such as gloves, and other body coverings, and the like. Theseand other input devices can be connected to the processing unit 903(also referred as “processor 903”) via a human machine interface 902that is coupled to the system bus 913, but can be connected by otherinterface and bus structures, such as a parallel port, game port, anIEEE 1394 Port (also known as a Firewire port), a serial port, or auniversal serial bus (USB).

In yet another aspect, a display device (not shown) can also beconnected to the system bus 913 via an interface, such as a displayadapter 909. It is contemplated that the computer 901 can have more thanone display adapter 909 and the computer 901 can have more than onedisplay devices. For example, a display device can be a monitor, an LCD(Liquid Crystal Display), or a projector. In addition to a displaydevice, other output peripheral devices can comprise components such asspeakers (not shown) and a printer (not shown) which can be connected tothe computer 901 via Input/Output Interface 910. Any step and/or resultof the methods can be output in any form to an output device. Suchoutput can be any form of visual representation, including, but notlimited to, textual, graphical, animation, audio, tactile, and the like.The display 911 and computer 901 can be part of one device, or separatedevices.

The computing device 901 can operate in a networked environment usinglogical connections to one or more remote computing devices 914 a,b,c.By way of example, a remote computing device can be a personal computer,portable computer, smartphone, a server, a router, a network computer, apeer device or other common network node, and so on. Logical connectionsbetween the computing device 901 and a remote computing device 914 a,b,ccan be made via a network 915, such as a local area network (LAN) and/ora general wide area network (WAN). Such network connections can bethrough a network adapter 908. A network adapter 908 can be implementedin both wired and wireless environments. Such networking environmentsare conventional and commonplace in dwellings, offices, enterprise-widecomputer networks, intranets, and the Internet.

For purposes of illustration, application programs and other executableprogram components such as the operating system 905 are illustratedherein as discrete blocks, although it is recognized that such programsand components reside at various times in different storage componentsof the computing device 901, and are executed by the data processor(s)of the computer. An implementation of cloud solution software 906 can bestored on or transmitted across some form of computer readable media.Any of the disclosed methods can be performed by computer readableinstructions embodied on computer readable media. Computer readablemedia can be any available media that can be accessed by a computer. Byway of example and not meant to be limiting, computer readable media cancomprise “computer storage media” and “communications media.” “Computerstorage media” comprise volatile and non-volatile, removable andnon-removable media implemented in any methods or technology for storageof information such as computer readable instructions, data structures,program modules, or other data. Exemplary computer storage mediacomprises, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory orother memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or otheroptical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic diskstorage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which canbe used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by acomputer.

In view of the aspects described herein, example methods that can beimplemented in accordance with the disclosure can be better appreciatedwith reference to the flowcharts in FIGS. 10-11. For purposes ofsimplicity of explanation, the example methods disclosed herein arepresented and described as a series of blocks. However, it is to beunderstood and appreciated that the disclosed methods are not limited bythe order of blocks and associated actions, as some blocks may occur indifferent orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from that shownand described herein. For example, the various methods or processes ofthe disclosure can be alternatively represented as a series ofinterrelated states or events, such as in a state diagram. Furthermore,not all illustrated blocks and associated action(s) may be required toimplement a method in accordance with one or more aspects of thedisclosure. Further yet, two or more of the disclosed methods orprocesses can be implemented in combination with each other, toaccomplish one or more features or advantages described herein. At leasta portion of the methods described herein can be implemented (e.g.,configured (such as linked, compiled, a combination thereof, or thelike); executed; configured and executed; or the like) by a systemhaving at least one processor and at least one information storagedevices (which also may be referred to as at least one memory device orat least one memory). Such a system can comprise one or more computingdevices or one or more processors, and can be employed to executecomputer-accessible instructions retained in a memory, or anycomputer-readable or machine-readable medium, to implement the methodsdescribed herein. The computer-accessible instructions can provide acomputer-executable or machine-executable framework to implement themethods described herein.

It should be further appreciated that the example methods of thedisclosure can be retained on an article of manufacture, orcomputer-readable medium, to permit or otherwise facilitate transportingand transferring such methods to a computing device (e.g., a desktopcomputer, a mobile computer, such as a tablet or a smartphone; a mobiletelephone, a blade computer, a programmable logic controller, and thelike) for execution, and thus implementation, by a processor of thecomputing device or for storage in a memory thereof.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an example method 1000 for curation of assets(e.g., cloud services) for cloud solutions in accordance with one ormore aspects of the disclosure. In one embodiment, a system that has atleast one processor can implement (e.g., configure, compile, link,execute, combinations thereof, or the like) one or more blocks of thesubject example method. The at least one processor can be functionallycoupled to at least one memory device having encoded thereoncomputer-accessible instructions that represent the subject examplemethod and, in response to execution by the system or the at least oneprocessor, permit or otherwise facilitate implementation of the subjectexample method. In additional or alternative embodiments, a computingdevice that has at least one processor or is functionally coupledthereto can implement one or more blocks of the subject example method.The at least one processor can be functionally coupled to at least onememory device having encoded thereon computer-accessible instructionsthat represent the subject example method and, in response to executionby the system or the at least one processor, permit or otherwisefacilitate implementation of the subject example method.

At block 1010, an organizational criterion for an environment of anorganization can be accessed. As described herein, the organization canbe associated with an industry vertical and comprises a not-for-profitorganization or a business organization. At block 1020, a group of oneor more cloud services is accessed. At block 1030, fitness of at leastone cloud service of the group of cloud services is evaluated for theenvironment based at least on the organizational criterion. Evaluatingthe fitness of the at least one cloud service in such a mannergenerates, in one aspect, at least one fitness metric for the at leastone cloud service. In one aspect, evaluating the at least one cloudservice comprises determining the alignment between an industry verticalassociated with the organization and a cloud service of the at least onecloud service. In another aspect, evaluating the at least one cloudservice can comprise determining the effectiveness of a cloud service ofthe at least one cloud service against an organizational needrepresented, at least in part, by the organizational criterion. In yetanother aspect, evaluating the fitness of the at least one cloud servicecan comprise accessing information indicative of one or more businessperformance indicators associated with the accessed organizationalcriterion. As described herein, business performance indicators can beassociated with specific business needs and can comprise mitigation ofchurn, reduction of operational costs, increment of revenue and/orprofits, increment of market share or footprint, or the like. It shouldbe appreciated that, in one aspect, evaluating fitness of a cloudservice can include addressing at least the following (1) who is thecloud service intended for (e.g., type of organization), (2) whichservice scenario renders the cloud service a good candidate (e.g., ahigh-score service) for inclusion in a cloud solution (e.g., is thecloud service applicable to a restaurant, or is the cloud serviceapplicable to a restaurant under certain specific environment); (3) whatare the key features of the cloud service, and what are organizationalcriteria (e.g., business needs) that the cloud service may be matchedto, and (4) what are organizational performance metrics are intended tobe achieved.

At block 1040, the at least one cloud service can be categorized (e.g.,indexed) based at least in part on the at least one fitness metric. Inone aspect, categorizing the at least one cloud service can comprisegenerating an index of the least one cloud service. As described herein,the index can represent a ranking of the at least one cloud service inaccordance with relevancy to the environment of the organization.

At block 1050, feedback associated with the at least one cloud servicecan be accessed. As described herein, in one aspect, accessing feedbackcan comprise receiving information indicative of utilization of a cloudservice of the at least one cloud service. In another aspect, thefeedback can comprise information indicative of revenue changes (e.g.,revenue increment or revenue decrement) for an organization thatutilizes the at least one cloud service within the environmentassociated with the organizational criterion or within a differentenvironment. In response to accessing (e.g., collecting or otherwisereceiving) the feedback, fitness of the at least one cloud service canre-evaluated based at least on the feedback information. In addition,based at least on the re-evaluation of the fitness of the at least onecloud service, the at least one fitness metric can be updated. Updatedfitness metric(s) can be utilized or otherwise leveraged to furthercategorize the at least one cloud service.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of an example method 1100 for generating a cloudsolution in accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosure. Thesystem or computing device that implements the example method 1000 alsocan implement the subject example method.

At block 1110, a group of one or more cloud services organized into acategorization can be provided. As described herein, such a group can begenerated by a service provider, independently or in consultation withan industry guru; by a vendor; and/or by third-party developers. Atblock 1120, a service query can be received, where the service query candefine the scope of a desired cloud solution for an environment of anorganization. As described herein, in one aspect, the service query canbe embodied in or can comprise an organizational criterion associatedwith the environment. At block 1130, at least one cloud service in thecategorization can be selected or otherwise identified based at least onthe service query. In one implementation, for the service query, the oneor more cloud services can be selected based at least on one or more ofan index indicative or otherwise representative the categorization,utilization information (e.g., usage data and/or usage metadata), orinformation indicative of end-user response to a cloud service (e.g.,popularity of the cloud service or unpopularity of the cloud service).At block 1140, a cloud solution comprising the at least one cloudservice can be composed.

At block 1150, the cloud solution can be provided. Providing the cloudsolution can comprise generating or otherwise configuring a bundle ofcloud services comprising the at least one cloud service.

In other embodiments, rather than providing the cloud solution, theexample method 1000 can provide an offer for the cloud solutioncomprising the at least one cloud service. The offer can be tailored tothe organization that supplies a service query for generation of thecloud solution, or to an operational environment of such organization.As described herein, the at least one cloud service can comprise atleast one of a software application, a managed network service, or aninfrastructure service.

While not illustrated, in certain embodiments, the example method 1000can comprise a block at which the organization (e.g., a business entity)is billed for the cloud solution that is provided at block 1150. In oneaspect, such a billing can be based at least in part on utilization of acloud service of the at least one cloud service included in the cloudsolution. In another aspect, the organization can be billed a fixed feefor the cloud solution. In yet another aspect, the organization can bebilled based at least on the organization's revenue or profit generatedby the cloud solution with respect to revenue or profit of the businessentity during period(s) in which the cloud solution is not or has notbeen utilized. In still another aspect, the organization can be billedat a discounted rate or promotional rate for cloud solutions thatinclude a cloud service with low popularity (as measured via collectedfeedback, for example) or that are provided on an experimental basis.For instance, a cloud solution having a cloud service (e.g., a softwareapplication or a professional service (such as a business service)) thatis on beta testing may be billed at a discounted rate in order to enticean office of the organization (e.g., a business owner of the businessentity) to test such a cloud service.

In additional or alternative embodiments, the example method 1100 caninclude a block at which feedback information associated with anenvironment of the organization can be accessed by the system and orcomputing device that implements the subject example method. Inaddition, in one or more of such embodiments, the subject example methodalso can include a block at which at least one second cloud service ofthe group of cloud services organized into the categorization can beselected by such a system based at least on the feedback information.Moreover, the system can compose a second cloud solution for theorganization comprising the at least one second cloud service. Further,in such embodiments of the example method 1100, the system can include ablock at which an offer for the second cloud solution is provided by thesystem.

As it would readily appreciated, various embodiments of the disclosuremay take the form of an entirely or partially hardware embodiment, anentirely or partially software embodiment, or a combination of softwareand hardware (e.g., a firmware embodiment). Furthermore, as describedherein, various embodiments of the disclosure (e.g., methods andsystems) may take the form of a computer program product comprising acomputer-readable non-transitory storage medium havingmachine-accessible instructions (e.g., computer-readable and/orcomputer-executable instructions) such as computer software, encoded orotherwise embodied in such storage medium. Those instructions can beread or otherwise accessed and executed by one or more processors toperform or permit performance of the operations described herein. Theinstructions can be provided in any suitable form, such as source code,compiled code, interpreted code, executable code, static code, dynamiccode, assembler code, combinations of the foregoing, and the like. Anysuitable computer-readable non-transitory storage medium may be utilizedto form the computer program product. For instance, thecomputer-readable medium may include any tangible non-transitory mediumfor storing information in a form readable or otherwise accessible byone or more computers or processor(s) functionally coupled thereto.Non-transitory storage media can include read-only memory (ROM); randomaccess memory (RAM); magnetic disk storage media; optical storage media;flash memory, etc.

At least some embodiments of the techniques in accordance with thedisclosure are described with reference to block diagrams and flowchartillustrations of methods, computing devices, apparatuses and/or computerprogram products. It can be understood that each block of the blockdiagrams and flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in theblock diagrams and flowchart illustrations, respectively, can beimplemented by machine-accessible instructions. In certainimplementations (such as in the example computing environment describedin connection with FIG. 9) the machine-accessible instructions may beloaded or otherwise incorporated into a general purpose computer,special purpose computer, or other programmable information processingapparatus to produce a particular machine, such that at least some orall of the operations or functions specified in the flowchart block orblocks can be implemented in response to execution at the computer orprocessing apparatus.

As it is employed in the subject disclosure, the term “processor” canrefer to substantially any computing processing unit or devicecomprising, but not limited to comprising, single-core processors;single-processors with software multithread execution capability;multi-core processors; multi-core processors with software multithreadexecution capability; multi-core processors with hardware multithreadtechnology; parallel platforms; and parallel platforms with distributedshared memory. Additionally, a processor can refer to an integratedcircuit, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digitalsignal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), aprogrammable logic controller (PLC), a complex programmable logic device(CPLD), a discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardwarecomponents, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functionsdescribed herein. Processors can exploit nano-scale architectures suchas, but not limited to, molecular and quantum-dot based transistors,switches and gates, in order to optimize space usage or enhanceperformance of user equipment. A processor may also be implemented as acombination of computing processing units.

In the subject specification and annexed drawings, terms such as“store,” “data store,” “data storage,” “database,” “repository,” andsubstantially any other information storage component relevant tooperation and functionality of a component, refer to “memorycomponents,” or entities embodied in a “memory” or components comprisingthe memory. It will be appreciated that the memory components describedherein can be either volatile memory or nonvolatile memory, or caninclude both volatile and nonvolatile memory. In addition, memoryelements described herein can be affixed, removable, or a combinationthereof.

By way of illustration, and not limitation, nonvolatile memory caninclude read only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), electricallyprogrammable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable ROM (EEPROM), or flashmemory. Volatile memory can include random access memory (RAM), whichacts as external cache memory. By way of illustration and notlimitation, RAM is available in many forms such as synchronous RAM(SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rateSDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), anddirect Rambus RAM (DRRAM). Additionally, the disclosed memory componentsof systems or methods herein are intended to comprise, without beinglimited to comprising, these and any other suitable types of memory.

Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that anytechnique, protocol, procedure, process, or method set forth herein beconstrued as requiring that its acts or steps be performed in a specificorder. Accordingly, where a process or method claim does not actuallyrecite an order to be followed by its acts or steps or it is nototherwise specifically recited in the claims or descriptions of thesubject disclosure that the steps are to be limited to a specific order,it is no way intended that an order be inferred, in any respect. Thisholds for any possible non-express basis for interpretation, including:matters of logic with respect to arrangement of steps or operationalflow; plain meaning derived from grammatical organization orpunctuation; the number or type of embodiments described in thespecification or annexed drawings, or the like.

What has been described herein in the present specification and drawingsincludes examples of systems, devices, and techniques that can providethe cloud solutions for an organization having specific operationalrequirements or preferences. It is, of course, not possible to describeevery conceivable combination of components and/or methodologies forpurposes of describing the various features of the disclosure, but oneof ordinary skill in the art can recognize that many furthercombinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter arepossible. Accordingly, it may be apparent that various modificationsand/or variations can be made to the disclosure without departing fromthe scope or spirit thereof. In addition or in the alternative, otherembodiments of the disclosure may be apparent from consideration of thespecification and annexed drawings, and practice of the disclosure aspresented herein. It is intended that the examples put forward in thespecification and annexed drawings be considered, in all respects, asillustrative and not restrictive.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: receiving, by a systemcomprising at least one processor and at least one memory device, aservice query defining a scope of a desired cloud solution for anorganization, the service query comprising a first selection of aselectable first indication of a first performance target associatedwith a user and a second selection of a selectable second indication ofa second performance target associated with the user; mapping, by thesystem, the first performance target to first cloud services having adefined degree of fitness for the first performance target, the firstcloud services organized in a category and the defined degree of fitnessassociated with a performance change of the first performance target;mapping, by the system, the second performance target to second cloudservices; and providing, by the system, to a user device, a cloudsolution based on the first cloud services and the second cloudservices, wherein providing comprises generating a service bundle havingat least one first cloud service of the first cloud services and atleast one second cloud service of the second cloud services.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, the service bundle representing the cloud solutionfor the user, wherein the user is associated with an industry verticaland comprises a not-for-profit organization or a business organization,and the industry vertical comprising at least one of agriculture;education and childcare services; insurance services; Internet andonline market services; retail and consumer services; utility services;banking and financial services; hospitality and travel services; legalservices; law enforcement; media and entertainment; real estate andproperty services; transportation and logistics services; constructionservices; energy and environment services; healthcare and pharmaceuticalservices; manufacturing and engineering services; public-sectorservices; gastronomy services; or small businesses.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising providing an offer for the cloud solution,wherein the at least one first cloud service comprises at least one of asoftware application, a managed network service, or an infrastructureservice.
 4. The method of claim 1, the method further comprising:identifying a first request to access the at least one first cloudservice; and identifying a second request to access a networked storageresource, or a third request to access a computational resource.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising accessing, by the system, feedbackinformation associated with an environment of the user.
 6. The method ofclaim 5, further comprising selecting, by the system, based at least onthe feedback information, at least one third cloud service of the firstcloud services; and composing, by the system, a second cloud solutionfor the user, the second cloud solution comprising the at least onethird cloud service.
 7. The method of claim 6, further comprisingproviding an offer for the second cloud solution.
 8. The method of claim4, further comprising billing the user for the cloud solution based atleast in part on utilization of the at least one first cloud service. 9.A system, comprising: at least one memory device having at leastcomputer-executable instructions stored thereon; and at least oneprocessor functionally coupled to the at least one memory device andconfigured, by at least the computer-executable instructions, at leastto: receive a service query defining a scope of a desired cloud solutionfor an organization, the service query comprising a first selection of aselectable first indication of a first performance target associatedwith a user and a second selection of a selectable second indication ofa second performance target associated with the user; map the firstperformance target to first cloud services having a defined degree offitness for the first performance target, the first cloud servicesorganized in a category and the defined degree of fitness associatedwith a performance change of the first performance target; map thesecond performance target to second cloud services; and provide, to auser device, a cloud solution based on the first cloud services and thesecond cloud services, wherein to provide comprises to generate aservice bundle having at least one first cloud service of the firstcloud services and at least one second cloud service of the second cloudservices.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the service bundlerepresents the cloud solution for the user, wherein the user isassociated with an industry vertical and comprises a not-for-profitorganization or a business organization, and the industry verticalcomprising at least one of agriculture; education and childcareservices; insurance services; Internet and online market services;retail and consumer services; utility services; banking and financialservices; hospitality and travel services; legal services; lawenforcement; media and entertainment; real estate and property services;transportation and logistics services; construction services; energy andenvironment services; healthcare and pharmaceutical services;manufacturing and engineering services; public-sector services;gastronomy services; or small businesses.
 11. The system of claim 9,wherein the at least one processor is further configured to provide anoffer for the cloud solution, wherein the at least one first cloudservice comprises at least one of a software application, a managednetwork service, or an infrastructure service.
 12. The system of claim9, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: identifya first request to access to the at least one first cloud service; andidentify a second request to access a networked storage resource, or athird request to access a computational resource.
 13. The system ofclaim 9, wherein the at least one processor is further configured toaccess feedback information associated with an environment of the user.14. The system of claim 13, wherein the at least one processor isfurther configured to select, based at least on the feedbackinformation, at least one third cloud service of the first cloudservices; and to compose a second cloud solution for the user, thesecond cloud solution comprising the at least one third cloud service.15. The system of claim 14, wherein the at least one processor isfurther configured to provide an offer for the second cloud solution.16. The system of claim 12, wherein the at least one processor isfurther configured to bill the user for the cloud solution based atleast in part on utilization of the at least one first cloud service.17. At least one computer-readable non-transitory storage medium havingstored thereon computer-accessible instructions that, in response toexecution, cause at least one processor to perform actions comprising:receiving a service query defining a scope of a desired cloud solutionfor an organization, the service query comprising a first selection of aselectable first indication of a first performance target associatedwith a user and a second selection of a selectable second indication ofa second performance target associated with the user; mapping the firstperformance target to first cloud services having a defined degree offitness for the first performance target, the first cloud servicesorganized in a category and the defined degree of fitness associatedwith a performance change of the first performance target; mapping thesecond performance target to second cloud services; and providing, to auser device, a cloud solution based on the first cloud services and thesecond cloud services, wherein causing to display comprises generating aservice bundle having at least one first cloud service of the firstcloud services and at least one second cloud service of the second cloudservices.
 18. The at least one computer-readable non-transitory storagemedium of claim 17, wherein the service bundle represents the cloudsolution for the user, and wherein the user is associated with anindustry vertical and comprises a not-for-profit organization or abusiness organization, and the industry vertical comprising at least oneof agriculture; education and childcare services; insurance services;Internet and online market services; retail and consumer services;utility services; banking and financial services; hospitality and travelservices; legal services; law enforcement; media and entertainment; realestate and property services; transportation and logistics services;construction services; energy and environment services; healthcare andpharmaceutical services; manufacturing and engineering services;public-sector services; gastronomy services; or small businesses. 19.The method of claim 1, wherein mapping the first performance target tothe first cloud services comprises identifying the first cloud servicesusing a matrix associated with the first performance target.
 20. Thesystem of claim 9, wherein to map the first performance target to thefirst cloud services comprises to identify the first cloud servicesusing a matrix associated with the first performance target.